1. Fixing the schools: We've just begun
Philly.com | June 14, 2012|by Darren A. Spielman
IN THE WAKE of the impassioned protest and long night of testimony about the now-official public-education
budget, it's important to take a collective breath and begin to look forward to the even-bigger job ahead. The
kind of reform being discussed at the school and the system level is dramatic. The many decisions to be made
about how to better serve our students must be based on accurate information and inclusive of diverse
community voices.
We have to start with the premise that doing nothing is not an option. By almost all accounts the status quo is
failing our children and our regional economy. It's not only appropriate to question the concepts involved with
restructuring, but it's the right thing to do. Moreover, it's natural to be skeptical — we've been down similar
roads before.
But let's recognize that we're in this position today in part because we didn't deal with the reality of our financial
situation yesterday. It was a fact that our school district — regardless of good intentions — lived beyond its
means. Passing a thoughtful budget for the 2012-2013 school year was a critical step. Late as it may be, our city's
ability to face reality and strategically address our budget is essential to our ability to generate funds from other
sources in the future.
Nobody wants to see Philadelphia falter; we have to do our part to demonstrate our sincere commitment to
dramatic change. It isn't enough now to simply complain about actions being taken without contributing realistic
solutions. And it isn't enough to propose bold new changes without being transparent and responsive to
legitimate concerns. This has to be a two-way street. Community members have to be open to new ways of
thinking or propose new solutions that are based on financial and political reality. And the district has to create
processes that honor parents and community members by giving straightforward answers to their questions and
real consideration to proposed alternatives.
To be clear, the School Reform Commission should be commended for the tremendous effort and energy it's
exhibited. Has the process of community input been perfect? No. Can we do better moving forward?
Absolutely. And we should.